title: Ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorder: as an occupational hazard in dentistry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are commonly experienced in dentistry. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of ergonomics and MSDs among dental professionals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 170 dentists of different specialties. The questionnaire gathered information regarding demographic details, MSDs, work duration, working status, awareness of ergonomics, etc. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. Student's t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used for comparison in mean scores. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the independent variables that significantly influenced the variance in the dependent variable (pain).
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that 73.9% of the participants reported musculoskeletal pain and most common painful sites were neck and back. More than half of the participants, i.e. 232 (59.3%) were aware of correct ergonomic posture regarding dental. Almost percentage of pain increased significantly with increase in age and working time. Among all specialties, prosthodontics were found to have more prevalence of MSDs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The appearance of musculoskeletal symptoms among dental professionals was quite common. It suggested that ergonomics should be covered in the educational system to reduce risks to dental practitioners.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Sibar Institute of Dental Sciences, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gopinadh
authors.forename: Kolli Naga Neelima
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chiramana
authors.forename: Prakash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manne
authors.forename: Anche
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sampath
authors.forename: Muvva Suresh
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Babu
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003726:Dental Assistants; D003815:Dentists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004708:Endodontics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010517:Periodontics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011476:Prosthodontics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors